22nd-23rd Midweek Best Bets - Rory Kilgour

After a great weekend of league football, the League Cup makes a return to action nationwide in both England and Scotland. Whilst some managers, especially those managing in the top tier, will use the League Cup as an opportunity to make changes to their teams against what they will perceive to be weaker opposition, they will be doing this on the premise that their rotated squad still has enough about them to overcome their opposition. The ties of the round are the two derbies: Aston Villa take on Birmingham on the Tuesday; whilst Tottenham face Arsenal on the Wednesday.

Beginning once again in Scotland, Rangers take on St Johnstone in the League Cup where neither manager will rest players – Rangers will want to prove they still have what it takes to defeat top tier opposition after claiming three scalps against premiership opposition last season, whilst St Johnstone will look to prove that mid-table Scottish Premiership standard is higher than the top of the Championship. Rangers managed to defeat St Johnstone last season with a weaker team, and I fancy them to repeat that this time around, especially on the back of their exceptional start to the season, winning 11 matches out of 11. You can get them to beat St Johnstone at best odds of 1.85 with Paddy Power.

Over in England, Reading take on Everton at home, having only lost 1 of their last 6 home matches. Everton have had a steady enough start to the season, but I fancy they will rest a number of key players for this tie, especially given how competitive the league is set to be once more this season, which will be their focus. Reading is a tough place to visit at the best of times, and I have a feeling they may get a result here. You can grab Reading or Draw (Double Chance) at great odds of 1.75 – all this bet means is that as long as Reading don’t lose, the bet wins.

For the Birmingham derby, I expect both teams to be fired up and going for a win to please their fans. Aston Villa have only managed one win in the league so far this season, on the opening day, and required extra time just to reach this round of the league cup, whilst Birmingham have only tasted defeat once in the league, which could make for an entertaining contest here. I’m backing Both Teams To Score in this tie, at best odds of 1.73 with SkyBet.

Chelsea take on Walsall away having ended their losing streak with a comprehensive victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv, before a more controversial win over Arsenal. They will look to continue their winning run by beating Walsall, and have more than enough depth in their squad to do so. Indeed, players that have been in and out of the team will look to stake a first team place with an impressive showing here, so I fancy the Chelsea players to be fired up for this match. Take Chelsea to win at odds of 1.44 with SkyBet.

Man City travel to Sunderland on the back of two defeats, by Juventus and West Ham, shattering their perfect start to the season, having not even conceded a goal before their last two matches. However, they remain top of the league after 6 matches, whilst Sunderland are bottom, and winless after 6 games. It’s hard to see even a weakened Man City line up having much trouble here, and Sunderland are likely to make changes too as they concentrate on what is already looking like it may be a protracted relegation battle for them this season. You can get great value odds on Man City to win – they are 1.50 with William Hill.
Finally, the London derby sees what will be a slightly weakened Arsenal side travel to face what will be a slightly weakened Tottenham side. Whilst the teams may be below strength, it remains a London derby and both will be determined to win here to get one over their rival fans. Both teams have been scoring fairly regularly in the league, and I’m backing Both Teams To Score at odds of 1.62 with Paddy Power.